About Us

Today's young professionals are risk takers, innovators, doers, and creators. We are a generation of young leaders just like you, and we are influencing the progress of Northeast Indiana.

The Emerging Leaders Alliance (ELA) is a network of young professionals committed to developing a community of future leaders and together creating opportunities for action, growth, and regional pride.

If you want to take your career one step further or create positive change in your community, then the ELA is your place for advancement, growth, and powerful possibility.

Serving as an advisory body to the Regional Partnership and supporting the Vision 2030 initiative, the ELA works to help the region maximize its potential and become an even greater place where businesses and people can thrive.

What do Emerging Leaders Want in Northeast Indiana?

A voice. Emerging leaders in our region want the opportunity to have a seat at the table and to be involved in the happenings of our communities.

These young leaders are looking for volunteer and mentoring opportunities, the chance to pursue higher education and the ability to support local businesses. They’re also looking to be able to use their voice as a means of community advocacy, political action and promoting the visibility of non-profit organizations.

In joining the ELA, young professionals are given the chance to work side-by-side with CEOs and business executives in the region’s 11 counties.

Young professionals, with their unique position in the workplace, are critical to the success of our communities and the region. A mix of desire and passion makes young professionals quite magnetic, and this passion is what fuels the region’s progress.

The Regional Partnership and the ELA are working to achieve three goals by 2030 — we call this plan Vision 2030.

Increase per capita personal income (PCPI) annually against the national average

Grow population to 1 million residents

Increase the percentage of Northeast Indiana residents with high-quality degrees or credentials to more than 60 percent

Why Young Professionals?

The ELA was originally established as the Millenial Leaders Alliance following the outcome of a 2012 survey of 2,700 millennials in Northeast Indiana, which asked young residents in our area for their thoughts on the region’s greatest assets and biggest challenges.

The results were eye-opening. We learned that in order to compete in the global marketplace, increase business investment, and attract and retain a talented workforce, we needed to include the voice of our future leaders. Those future leaders include you.

And they’re right.

Your leadership, your innovation, and your grit are critical to helping Northeast Indiana increase business investment and compete in the global marketplace.

Why Membership Matters

“Getting involved and making connections in the community is why I joined the ELA. By being an ELA member, I can focus on my personal and professional development and learn how to become a leader in Northeast Indiana.” —Allison Acosta, Financial Analyst II at Johnson Controls

“The ELA is one of the best things I can do to connect with other leaders in the region. I get to learn about the economic progress of Northeast Indiana and work with experienced business executives. It gives me the unique opportunity to provide a voice on behalf of a younger generation of leaders.” —Thomas Starks, Life-Marketing Consultant at Ash Brokerage

Meet Our Current Members

Allison Acosta

Kristin Amstutz

Lamle Derek

Olivia Fought

Megan Grimes

Kara Hackett

Brad Hartman

Justin Hayes

Jamie Holt

Nicole Kurut

Tiana Maclin

Morgan Miller

Spencer Norton

Katie Robinson

Sami Jacobs

Victoria Sarjeant

Thomas Starks

Rachel Stephens

Brianna Tackett

Kati Todd

If you are ready to get involved, now is the time. Give us a call today, and let’s start making a positive impact in your life and in your community.